Clyde defender Mark McLaughlin still gets thrill from playing at 40 as he chases third league title

Evergreen Clyde defender Mark McLaughin insists he still gets the same buzz from playing as he chases his third league title at the age of 40.

The former Hamilton, Morton and Dumbarton centre-half is part of a Bully Wee side that will bid to close the gap on Elgin to three points when the League Two leaders visit this afternoon.

McLaughlin in his Hamilton days (Pic Alasdair Middleton)

McLaughlin won the old second division with Clyde in his first stint at the club in 2000 before then being part of the Accies team that gained promotion to the top-flight in 2008 – and the veteran stopper insists his enthusiasm for the sport has not waned.

He said: “I still get the same buzz from playing at 40, if I didn’t then I wouldn’t bother doing it.

“At my age you need to still be enjoying it otherwise there’s no point.

“But I still get a real good buzz for it. I’ve always been hard working and determined and I’m not the type to give up.

“I’ll know when it’s time to retire but I’m loving it, we’ve got a great bunch of lads.”

McLaughlin’s current mood is enhanced by the fact that Clyde are in the thick of a title challenge.

With only nine points separating the top five in the league, McLaughlin admits the race is wide open.

He added: “These are the games you want to be playing in. I won the title in my first time with Clyde to get into what is now the Championship but Alloa were the only team chasing us.

“At Hamilton, it was Dundee that were battling with us but this season it could be any one from five teams.

“But I’m sure teams will start picking each other off and it will probably come down to two in the end.

“The game against Elgin is certainly one we’ll be looking to win. We know they’re a good side so we’ll need to leave everything out there.”